KINGFIELD, ME — The Office of the State Fire Marshal was notified of a fire with reported explosions at the Carrabassett Valley Veterinary Clinic on Tuesday at approximately 3:40 p.m.
Fire Marshal investigators responded to the scene while fire suppression operations were still in progress.
The building, a large two-story structure with a metal roof and metal siding, sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss.
At the time of the fire, the building was occupied.
All employees and animals inside the veterinary clinic were safely evacuated.
A resident in an upstairs apartment was also able to get out safely, however two cats in the apartment perished as a result of the fire.
Preliminary investigation indicates the fire was first discovered on the exterior rear of the building in the area of the facility’s trash storage.
A bystander attempted to extinguish the fire using a portable fire extinguisher and sustained minor burns during the effort.
The individual was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators are continuing to examine the scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
The cause remains under investigation.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
